"Much needed" I admitted as she pulled me into a hug.
She gave me a squeeze and kissed my cheek. I looked down when I heard a light growl and chuckled to see Mariana's small dog, Babe was looking up at me.
"Hi Babe" I greeted.
He barked and let me pet him.
"I'll take these"
Dina took the box of donuts I had picked up on my way here.
"They're all outside"
I nodded and placed my car keys on the coffee table before making my way out. I smiled at Blue when he barked as he approached me.
"You forgot how I look?" I asked him.
He wagged his tail as I scratched behind his ears.
"You're here!"
I looked away from Blue and smiled at Soph who was making her way over.
"How was your nap?"
"Like I told your mom, it was much needed" I replied.
She smiled and hugged me.
"Did you get a chance to watch the meet?"
I squeezed her and shook my head at her.
"You're going to be the death of me" I admitted.
She laughed and I took the time to give her a quick peck. I wasn't able to make it to her teams home opener, but I was able to convince coach to record it. I had a near heart attack when she began her series and almost fell off the beam during her first pass.
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She managed to grip onto the beam with her feet which kept her on it. It was pretty cool, but more terrifying. They ended up winning the meet, we did not win our game though.
"Adrian"
"Your honor" I greeted.
We both nodded at each other and I ignored the frown he gave Soph when I let go of her. Mariana's small dog, Babe barked at me for attention.
I winked at Soph when she pursed her lips a bit looking at Lorenzo.
"Coming"
Mariana stood up and signaled at my seat.
"Sit down"
I took a seat next to Willy and offered him a smile. Soph said something in Spanish to which Lorenzo nodded.
"So you two were teammates"
Willy took a sip of his water and nodded.
"World Juniors and the Swedish Hockey League"
Lorenzo nodded and took a seat across from us.
"He abandoned me to play for the Marlies" I stated.
I smiled as Willy chuckled.
"You played in the AHL as well with the Monarch, and won a Calder Cup"
This was before the relocation, I barely met the age requirement.
"I saw you went home for Christmas"
I nodded.
"Yeah, Sophia came with me as well" I replied.
Willy smiled.
"I doubt next year you'll have time for that"
I laughed.
"Fingers crossed" I told him.
"How was that outdoor game?"
I shook my head.
"It rained while we were playing" I answered.
I smiled as I heard Willy's laugh.
"So you could imagine that" I added.
He nodded.
"It was really cool though, I took a warm shower after" I stated.
"It's a game you'll always remember"
"It's no centennial classic" I replied.
Willy frowned.
"Accept my compliment"
I chuckled.
"So how did you meet Mariana?"
I leaned back as I watched Willy's cheeks turn pink.
"In my defense I had a concussion"
Lorenzo raised an eyebrow.
"I threw up on her shoes, and then passed out"
Willy looked at me.
"How did you meet Sophia?"
"I didn't throw up on her shoes" I joked.
I smiled when he laughed.
"We technically met at the grocery store a day before Thanksgiving" I began saying.
I laughed as Sophia covered my mouth and hugged me from behind. I moved her hand and held onto it.
"A month before that I spotted Sophia during the home opener while I was stretching. She was sitting by herself eating candy" I told them.
I leaned my head back against Sophia as she gave me a light squeeze.
"Her roommate Jaclyn caught me staring the following game, and she kinda pointed it out to Soph who just nodded along. Some of my teammates hyped me up during the game to ask her out, but by the time we got one of the workers to look for her she was gone. The following day one of my teammate dragged me along to breakfast to get to know me. Just as we were about to finish eating Soph and Jac walk in. I kinda freaked out, and my teammate noticed so he took it upon himself to get up and ask Sophia for her number" I stated.
I frowned as Soph kissed my cheek.
"She said no and Jaclyn got my number for Sophia. Fast forward to a month later, the day before Thanksgiving. I was at the grocery store getting food because I didn't want to starve. Val technically did most of the cooking and he gave me a list so I was getting that. I immediately spot her, and freaked out for a bit because there she is the person who had not called me" I told them.
I glanced at Dina who was looking at me.
"I hyped myself up and made my way over to her. I kind of called her out on not calling me back" I mentioned.
They chuckled and I nodded.
"Yup, she was still pretty mean to me" I added.
"I was, but I did ask you after"
"That you did, and we went out on a few dates before I asked her out on December 17 right before I flew to Helsinki for World Juniors" I stated.
Willy turned to Soph.
"I vaguely remember New Years Eve, you called him"
She smiled.
"You were pretty miserable"
He nodded.
"He forced cuddled me to sleep"
"I should have made you room with your brother" I told him.
"You love me"
I scrunched up my nose and smiled as Willy threw himself at me. He had gained weight so he easily pulled me into a hug.
